Fence-machine



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

D. E; WISE-av B. F. JONES.

PENGE MAGHINE- No. 419,578. Patented Jan. 14, 1890.

2 She ets-Sheet -2. JONES.

(No Model.)

B. WISE & B. F

FENCE MACHINE Patented Jan. .14, 1890.

Wifgeszs N4 PETERS. Piwbulmgnphnr. Wash ngtgn. D.' C.

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

I DAVID EUGENE WISE AND BENJAMIN FRANKLAND JONES, OF NEW MARKET, VIRGINIA.

FENCE-MACHINE.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 419,578, dated January 14, 1890.

Application filedAngust 14, 1889i Serial No, 320,717. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, DAVID EUGENE lVISE and BENJAMIN FRANKLAND J ONES, citizens'of the United States, residing at New Market, in the county of Shenandoah and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Fence- Machine, of which the following is a specificat-ion.

Our invention relates to improvements in fence-machines; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed. I

' In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is I a perspective view of our improved fence-machine. Figs. 2 and'3 are side elevations showing the wire-twisters arranged to lap the wire and to twist the same, respectively. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the movement of the twisters when building the fence. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the tension device. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the device for pulling the pickets into position.

In building a fence by our improved machine we secure at one end of the line of the proposed fence a fence-post A, and at the other end of the line of the proposed fence we set up a standard B, provided at its lower end with a cross-bar or base 0, to preventits tipping laterally, and to the upper end of this standard we'secure the hooks D D, having a common shank E, through which the securingbolt is passed into the standard, as clearly shown. Thesehooks are engaged by the upper ends of the brace-wires F, the lower ends of which are secured to the anchors G, driven in the ground a proper distance from the standard. At properpoints of the heightof the standard we mount therein the horizontal eyebolts H, the rear ends of which are engaged by nuts I, which are adapted to be turned up against the standard, as clearly shown. The fence-wires are secured to the fence-post A, and then carried along the proposed line of fence and secured in the eyes of the eyebolts H. The nuts I are then turned up against the standard, so as to exert the required tension on the fence-Wires and hold the same taut. The wire-twisting device is now arranged between the fence-post and the standard, and the first picket is inserted downward between the strands of the fence-wires, after which the twisters are operated to twist or lap the wires,

so as to secure the picket in position. The next picket is then secured. in place in the same manner. and the operation repeated until the desired length of fence has beenbuilt.

The twisting device consists of the operatin gbar or lever K, the arms L, projecting from the said bar or lever, and the twisters pivoted to the ends of the said arms. The twisters M are constructed of a substantially U-shaped bar having one end provided with a crosshead -N, having hooks O at its ends adapted to engage the strands of the fence-wire, and the other end of the said U-shaped bar is'provided with a perforation P, through which and the end of the arm L the pivotal bolt is inserted, and the lateral lug or hook Q beyond the pivot adapted to impinge against the arm L and thereby limit the movement of the twister. WVhen it is desired to merely cross or lap the wires between the pickets, the twisters are arranged so that the hooks Q project toward and are adapted to strike against the arms L, and consequently allow the twisters to make but one-half of arevolution. When it isdesired, however, to twist the strands of the wire, the twisters are shifted to the opposite sides of the arms L, so that the hooks or lugs Q will project away from the said arms, and thereby allow the twisters to make threefourths of a complete revolution, as will be readily understood on reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 4. The central twisters may be provided with the hooks Q, if so desired; but it is not essential that they have these hooks, as the central twisters will necessarily follow the movement of the end twisters, and it will be sufficient if the end twisters are shifted, as just described.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that we have provided a fencemachine which is composed of few parts, and the said parts are simple in their construction and efficient in operation.

By the use of our device avery strong fence can be easily and rapidly built by an unskilled person, and the fence, when completed, will be very secure, as the tension device will preserve a high tension of the wires throughout the process of building. After the picket has been inserted between the strands of the Wire, a rod 2, having hooks 3 and 4 pivoted at and nearits end, respectively, is employed to draw the picket closely into the twist of the wire, the hooks are engaged around the edge of the picket, and the operator then draws on the rod so as to pull the picket along the wires into its place. The pickets will thus be secured more firmly and with less labor than if the operator were compelled to grasp them by hand.

Having described our invention, What we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. The fence-wire twisters consisting of U- shaped bars having one end pivoted to an opcrating-arm and the other end provided with a cross-head having hooks at its ends adapted to engage the fence-wires, as set forth.

2. The combination of the arms L, the operating bar connecting the same, and the twisters pivoted to said arms and consisting of U-shaped bars provided at one end with hooks adapted to engage the fence-wires and at the other end with lateral hooks adapted to impinge against the arms L, as set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto afiixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID EUGENE WISE. BENJAMIN ERANKLAND JONES.

\Vitnesses:

J NO. S. CALVERT, CHAS. W. BENNIcK. 

